Method of sealing a curb and gutter roadway gap and sealing assembly therefor

ABSTRACT

An improved sealing assembly for sealing the curb and gutter portions of a roadway gap at the intersection of adjacent roadway slabs. The sealing assembly includes a curb face piece assembly providing an elastic, flexible sealing flap spanning the intersection of the curb and gutter portions, and which is sealingly joined to the curb face piece assembly and to a complementary gutter gap sealing member. The sealing flap is conformed to portions of the curb face piece assembly and gutter gap sealing member, particularly in their regions overlying the curb and gutter gap portions. Desirably those regions comprise flexible joint membranes. A shaping member disposed in the gap, and extending upwardly therefrom, shapes the flap to assist in conforming it to those regions. The curb face piece assembly is affixed to the curb portions of the slabs adjacent the gap, the flap is conformed to the shaping member and the gutter gap sealing member is positioned over and conformed to the shaped flap. Suitable adhesive or mastic material seals the several members in a water-tight relationship and in a relationship resistant to separation due to forces encountered in dynamic loading of the adjacent roadway slabs.

United States Patent 1191 Neff [ METHOD OF SEALING A CURB AND GUTTERROADWAY GAP AND SEALING ASSEMBLY THEREEOR [75] Inventor: Clarence H.Neff, Skokie, 111.

[73] Assignee: Felt Products Mfg. Co., Skokie. Ill.

[22] Filed: Feb. 18, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 227,410

52 1 us. or. 404/67, 404/74 [51] Int. Cl. E0lc 11/02, EOlc 11/12 [581Field of Search 404/47, 64, 67, 74; 52/396; 14/16 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 1,961,580 6/1934 Brown 404/12 3,273,473 9/1966Pare 14/16 X 3,316,574 5/1967 Pare 14/16 3,363,522 1/1968 Galbreath14/16 X 3,375,763 4/1968 Welch 404/67 X 3,650,184 3/1973 Kolm et a1.355/1 3,713,368 1/1973 McDowell et a1. 404/67 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 1,178,216 12/1958 France 404/56 Primary ExuminerRoy D.Frazier Assistant E.\'uminerThomas J Holko Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Dressler, Goldsmith, Clement & Gordon, Ltd.

[ 1 June 4, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT An improved sealing assembly for sealingthe curb and gutter portions of a roadway gap at the intersection ofadjacent roadway slabs. The sealing assembly includes a curb face pieceassembly providing an elastic. flexi ble sealing flap spanning theintersection of the curb and gutter portions, and which is sealinglyjoined to the curb face piece assembly and to a complementary gutter gapsealing member. The sealing flap is conformed to portions of the curbface piece assembly and gutter gap sealing member, particularly in theirregions overlying the curb and gutter gap portions. Desirably thoseregions comprise flexible joint membranes. A shaping member disposed inthe gap, and extending upwardly therefrom, shapes the flap to assist inconforming it to those regions. The curb face piece assembly is affixedto the curb portions of the slabs adjacent the gap, the flap isconformed to the shaping member and the gutter gap sealing member. is

positioned over and conformed to the shaped flap. Suitable adhesive ormastic material seals the several members in a water-tight relationshipand in a relationship resistant to separation due to forces encounteredin dynamic loading of the adjacent roadway slabs.

20 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures mmm 4mm agawsao SHEET 3 BF 3 Thisinvention relates to an improved roadway joint assembly, andparticularly to a method and to a joint seal assembly for dynamicallysealing a narrow gap between curb and gutter portions of adjacentroadway or deck slabs.

An increasing number of highways today are elevated and comprise deckstructures supported on piers, archways, and the like. Such elevateddeck structures are encountered on bridges as well. Because of thematerials used, the deck structures must comprise a series of adjacent,but slightly spaced slabs to accommodate changes in weather conditions,dynamic loading and the like. For a number of reasons it is veryimportant that the gap between adjacent slabs be sealed against thepassage of water and other debris. Many roadways and deck structuresprovide gapped curb portions adjacent the gapped edge or gutter portionsof the roadway slabs. It is also important to seal the curb and guttergap portions against the passage of water and debris.

Many suggestions have been made for sealing roadway gaps. A recentinnovation in such sealing is disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No.191,996 filed on Oct. 26, 1971, now US. Pat. No. 3,713,368 issued onJan. 30, 1973. The end dam assembly there disclosed has been foundefficiently and effectively to seal transverse and longitudinal roadwaygaps.

However, the devices currently available for sealing elongate slab gaps,such as those extending at a skew across the entire width of a roadway,have not been readily adaptable or usable for sealing the curb andgutter gaps of adjacent slabs. most particularly where the roadway gapis at a skew.

In accordance with this invention, an improved sealing assembly and animproved method for dynamically sealing the portions of a gap betweencurb and gutter portions of adjacent roadway slabs is provided.

. A sealing assembly of this invention is adapted to be formed bysecuring specially formed curb gap and gutter gap sealing members at theintersection of curb portions and gutter portions of adjacent roadwayslabs.

The slabs are first prepared, as by notching and by the provision ofanchoring studs. to mount a curb sealing member and a gutter gap sealingmember. A curb sealing member, which desirably comprises a pair of sidepads connected by a flexible joint membrane, is sealingly secured toadjacent slab curb portions with the flexible joint membrane overlyingthe curb gap. The curb sealing member sealingly mounts an expansivesealing flap which projects from one end and which projects laterallybeyond the sides of the sealing member. The sealing flap is sufficientlylong and broad to overlie the curb and gutter intersection and tooverlie and bridge a portion of the gutter gap.

A gutter gap sealing member. preferably comprising a pair of parallelside pads connected by a flexible joint membrane, is shaped to overliethe gutter gap, to be sealingly secured to the expansive flap and toclosely confront an end portion of the curb sealing member. When it issecured to the gutter portions, the joint membrane bridges the guttergap and lies parallel to it.

So that the sealing flap conforms as closely as possible to the contourof the surfaces of the gutter gap sealing member which it confronts.thereby to obtain maximum sealing engagement between them, andparticularly in the regions of the joint membrane, a shaping means ormandrel is positioned in the gutter portion of the gap and is supportedtherein to project upwardly. The mandrel then serves to urge the elasticsealing flap into close conforming and sealing engagement with the jointmembrane of the gutter gap sealing member. Where an upstanding archedjoint membrane. such as that disclosed in the aforementionedapplication. is desired for sealing a roadway gap at the intersection ofcurb and gutter portions of adjacent slabs. the utilization of a thinflexible membrane. preferably integrally formed with a curb gap sealingmember provides a continuous joint membrane, consisting of the curb andgutter sealing member membranes, which has been integrated by thesealing flap. The continuous joint membrane provides a substantial sealacross the intersection of curb and gutter gap portions, even wherethere is a substantial skew and even under dynamic loading. 7

Further objects, advantages and features of this invention will becomeapparent from the following description and drawings, of which:

FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view of adjacent curb and gutterportions of adjacent roadway slabs adapted to be sealed in accordancewith this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a curb face piece assembly of thisinvention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pad member adapted to be assembledwith the curb face piece assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 in which the curb face piece assemblyof FIG. 2 has been positioned on the slabs;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 55of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 in which the pad member of FIG. 3 hasbeen positioned on the slabs;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along theline 9-9 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a sealing assembly positioned toseal a substantially skewed transverse roadway joint and adjacent curband gutter joint;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of an end dam assembly of FIG.10;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of adjacent curb and gutterportions of adjacent roadway slabs adapted to be sealed in accordancewith a further embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further curb face piece assembly ofthis invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the curb face piece assembly of FIG. 13oriented generally as it is to be installed on the slabs of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 12 in which the curb face pieceassembly of FIG. 13 has been positioned on the slabs;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 in which a gutter pad member hasbeen positioned in sealing engagement with the curb face piece assemblyand roadway slabs;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view'taken substantially along the line17-17 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the linel818 of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line19-19 of FIG. 14; and

FIG. is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 20-20of FIG. 12, showing a mandrel shape in phantom as it is prior toinstallation.

A schematic view of a typical skewed roadway joint defining a gapbetween adjacent slabs and associated curb and gutter portions isschematically illustrated in FIG. 10. As there seen, a pair of adjacentslabs S are positioned to accommodate vehicular travel, as in thedirection D. The adjacent slabs S confront each other at a gap G whichis at a substantial skew to direction D. The gap G extends between theslabs to the roadway edge (the gutter portion of the slabs) and alsoextends between the upwardly angled slab side portions, i.e., the curbportions C.

Substantially the entire length of the skewed gap G may be bridged andsealed by a plurality of end dam sections 10 which may be made andassembled in accordance with the disclosure of said US. Pat. No.3,713,368. A typical end dam section 10 according to that applicationmay comprise a pair of spaced, longitu dinally extending parallel sidepads 12 joined centrally by a gap-bridging flexible joint membrane 14.Membrane 14 is very substantially thinner than the sidepads 12 (as isseen in the drawings) and is desirably secured to the side pads adjacentthe lower edges thereof. Membrane 14 has an upstanding archedconfiguration to enhance its performance in use and under dynamicloading.

Each end dam section 10 is integrally formed, as by being extruded ormolded of a suitable elastomeric material, such as rubber, or apolychloroprene orneoprene rubber. Preferably, the joint membrane 14embeds one or more fabric-layers 15, such as a woven polyester fabric,to enhance its tear strength, dimensional stability, wear, cut andabrasion resistance, and service life. An entire end dam section 10 maybe made by assembling uncured rubber elementsin which a fabric layer 36and plates '16 are appropriately-embedded, after which the uncuredrubber is cured, as by vulcanizing it.

Each side pad 12 is generally rectangular in transverse cross sectionand embeds an elongate, longitudi nally extending reinforcing plate 16.Plates 16 extend substantially the entire length of side pads 12, areparallel to the upper surfaces 18 of the slabs and serve to distributeanchoring stud loads between anchoring studs. Each side pad defines asuitable plurality of bolt holes 17, which are proportioned toaccommodate and receive a threaded anchoring stud, washers, and a nut toassist in securing the side pads 12 to the edges of the deck slabsadjacent the gap G. The studs may be suitably secured in deck slab S, asby an epoxy-cement grout, and the bolt holes may later be filled with asuitable compound, such as a flexible epoxy or a vulcanizable liquidrubber, to bring the holes up to the level of the lower surfaces oftraction and drainage grooves 20 in the side pad upper surfaces 18.Because the upper surfaces 18 of the side pads 12 actually serve asroadway or deck surfaces, the upper surfaces 18 should desirably beparallel to the upper surfaces of the slabs S.

When end dam sections 10 are installed in preexisting or finished castslabs, the edges of the slabs adjacent gap G must be scarified (and thenbuilt up to level if necessary) to form notches 22 of substantially thesame size and shape as the side pads. After installation of sections 10it may be necessary to backfill the notches to completely fill any spacebetween the side pad outer edges and the confronting vertical notchedges. If the final road wearing surface is to be such as of asphalt ormacadam, to be deposited on the surface of a concrete or asphalticconcrete slab, then end dam sections 10 may simply be secured inposition, after which such a road wearing or surfacing material isdeposited up to the level of the upper surfaces 18 of the side pads, andagainst the outer edges of side pads 12.

To secure the end dam sections to the slabs S most effectively, it isdesirable'to adhere them (as well as to bolt them) to slabs S, as by anadhesive layer (such as a suitable neoprene adhesive) which is appliedintermediate the lower surfaces of the pads 12 and the confrontingsurfaces of the slab. Where the slab is notched, as at 22, the adhesivelayer may also be provided on the vertical wall of the notch. When sosecured and positioned, side pads 12 not only seal against the passageof dirt and water under the pads and downwardly through the gap G, butalso protect the edges of the slabs adjacent gap G from spalling.

End dam sections 10 are preferably formed so that they may be sealinglysecured in an end-to-end array, thereby to act cooperatively therewithto provide the necessary sealing effect at adjacent ends and across theskewed gap G, to provide for thermal expansion and contractionlongitudinally of the array, and to provide an effective seal underdynamic loading. As such, the endfaces of the side pads 12 are beveledor tapered. One end of the side pads 12 has first tapered end faces 24and the other end has second complementarily tapered end faces 26. Atthe end providing end faces 24, joint membrane 14 projects outwardly andintegrally with additional longitudinal seal segments 28. The lowersurfaces of side pads 12 at the end providing end faces 26 may definenotches 30 to receive seal segments 28. When adjacent ends of sections10 are juxtaposed, portions of joint membranes 14 of adjoining end damsections will overlie eachother, and seal segments 28 will underlie andfit within notches 30. When a suitable adhesive, such as a neopreneadhesive layer is interposed between confronting end faces 24 and 26,between overlappingareas of adjacent joint membranes l4, and betweenseal segments 28 and notches 30, a joint which is secure, watertight,and substantially permanent, even under dynamic loading, will be formedbetween adjoining end dam sections 10.

A suitable number of end dam sections 10 may be joined together to forma sealed, gap-bridging 'end dam assembly commensurate in length with anyusual length of deck slab gap it may be necessary to seal.

Although the major length of the gap G may be sealed by a plurality ofassembled end dam sections 10, it will be apparent from FIG. 10,especially where the gap G is substantially skewed, that problems willbe encountered in attempting to seal the slabs at the gutter portionsand curb portions of the slabs, and in attempting to seal theintersection between them, especially under dynamic loading.

A typical, difficultly scalable portion of a gap G between adjacentslabs S is enlarged in FIG. 1 to illustrate the substantial skew and theproblems which itposes to effective sealing. There, side edges or gutterportions 40 of adjacent slabs S terminate at their outer edges in curbportions C. Curb portions C. may be integrally formed, as of concrete,with the gutter portions 40 at the time the slabs S are formed, or,alternatively. may be assembled at the gutter edges in any otherconventional manner known to the art. In each instance, however, becausethe adjacent slabs S and the associated curb and gutter portions areadapted to move relatively to each other, and because it is desirable toprotect the edges of the slabs S from moisture and seepage, both in themajor roadway areas and in the curb and gutter areas, effective meansmust be provided for sealing the entire gap.

The curb and gutter portions and surfaces are illustrated in FIG. 1 ashaving been prepared to receive an appropriate sealing assembly. In theembodiment illus trated, portions 40 and C have been notched to receivea curb gap sealing member and a gutter gap sealing member. This curbnotches 46 and gutter notches 48 may be pre-formed or, where an existingcurb and gutter intersection 50 is to be sealed in accordance with thisinvention, roadway material may be removed to provide the notches 46 and48.

Curb notches 46 are proportioned to receive a curb face piece assembly52. The face piece assembly 52 comprises a pair of parallel, spacedapart side pads 56 centrally joined by a gap bridging, longitudinallyextending, arched joint membrane 58. Joint membrane 58, like membrane14, is flexible and is substantially thinner than the side pads 56 andis preferably sealingly secured to the side pads 56 adjacent the loweredges thereof. Side pads 56 are adapted to secure the assembly 52 tocurb portions C to anchor the joint membrane 58 for sealing the portionof the gap G between the curb portions C. Desirably, side pads 56 andjoint membrane 58 are integrally formed, as by being extruded or moldedof a suitable elastomeric material, such as rubber or. polychloropreneor neoprene rubber.

Each side pad 56 is generally rectangular in transverse cross-sectionand embeds a reinforcing washer 60 which is adapted, to the extentnecessary, to distribute the load applied by nuts 62 which are screwedonto anchoring studs 64. Studs 64 may be suitably secured in the curbportions C as by an epoxy-cement grout in a known manner.

Joint membrane 58 is preferably reinforced, as by embedding a fabriclayer therein during the curing of the joint membrane. The fabric layerenhances the tear strength. dimensional stability, cut and abrasionresistance and surface life of the membrane 58. When a fabric layer isincorporated, a molding procedure, rather than an extruding process isused to form assembly 52.

As seen in FIG. 4, the pad section extends downwardly along a length ofthe curb portions to the intersection 50. The intersection is bridged byan expansive sealing flap 54 which may be of a suitable rubber-likematerial and which is either integrally molded and formed with theremainder of the assembly 52, or which is otherwise suitably sealinglysecured to the lower surfaces of the pads 56 and membrane 58 (see FIG.8), and projects from one end of assembly 52. Desirably flap 54 isgenerally trapezoidal in shape and projects laterally beyond the outerside edges 57 of the side pads to accommodate a broad range ofintersections and skewed gaps to be sealed. Flap 54 may be cut down asappropriate at the time of installation. Sealing flap 54 may be a sheetof rubber-like material or may embed a layer of reinforcing material. lnany event, it is desirably substantially thinner than and more flexiblethan the joint membranes 58 and 74 to minimize interference with theirsealing function and operation. The flap is also preferably quiteelastic and stretchable to enable it to conform most closely to thejoint membranes and to the mandrel.

When an edge 66 of a gutter pad member 70 is positioned closely toconfront the lower edge of an assembly 52, as illustrated in FIGS. 6and7, and pad elements 72 are suitably sealed to sealing flap 54, awater-tight joint at intersection 50 will be provided.

The gutter gap sealing pad member 70 may comprise a pair of spacedparallel side pad elements 72 joined centrally by a thin, integrallyformed gap bridging joint membrane 74. Pad elements 72 are adapted tosecure the gutter pad member 70 the the slabs S, and also to act as anarmor or dams for the roadway surface or gutter edges, thereby toprevent crumbling and spalling. Each side pad element is generallyrectangular in transverse cross-section and embeds a longitudinallyextending reinforcing plate section 76. Plate sections 76 lie parallelto the upper surfaces of the pad elements 72 and serve to distribute theanchoring stud loads. The upper surfaces 80 of the side pad elements 44are proportioned and adapted to serve as roadway surfaces, like theupper surfaces 18 of end dam sections 10. Member 70 may be a portion ofan end dam section 10 which has been cut to a proper skew.

Desirably, joint membranes 58 and 74 are formed to have an upstandingarched configuration in transverse cross-section. That enhances theirsealing functions, generally as described in connection with theoperation of joint membrane 14 in U.S. Pat. No. 3,713,368, and maximallyand most effectively accommodates relative movement of the spacedadjacent slabs S at gap G. The shapes of joint membranes 58 and 74desirably are the same, so that they will each accommodate maximumrelative movement of the slabs S within a given design range, withouttransmitting significant reaction loads to the anchoring studs, to theadhesive securing the assembly 52 and gutter pad member 70 to the curband gutter portions, and without exerting significant loads on the sidepads 56 and pad elements 72. To so act, while also sealing the gap G,requires the formation of a substantial seal across intersection 50 andbetween the assembly 52 and pad member 70.

To seal the gap G at the intersection 50, the sealing flap must beconformed to the shape of the confronting surfaces of pad member 70.Accordingly, an elongate shaping means such as a crowned mandrel isprovided.

Mandrel 90 is proportioned to be forced into and positioned in gap Gadjacent intersection 50, to be supported therebetween to urge and biassealing flap 54 into firm confronting engagement with the lower surfacesof joint membranes 58 and 74. Mandrel 90 projects upwardly from thegutter surfaces for a length of gap G in gutter portions 40 andoutwardly from the curb surfaces for a length between curb portions C.Desirably, mandrel 90 is of a resilient foam material, such aspolyurethane foam having a density of about 3 pounds per cubic foot, forexample one sold by Firestone under the designation No. 3,760. A pieceof such foam as much as double the width of the gap is compressed to fitit into the gap with the upper edge projecting upwardly to form asupport for the flap 54' and membranes 58 and 74. Preferably the mandrelis shaped to form a tapered or crowned upper edge portion 91 whichremains uncompressed when the lower edge portion is seated in the gap.When so supported, mandrel 90 will resist downward and outward loads tothe extent necessary to shape the flap 54 and to force it intoconforming engagement, particularly with the lower confronting surfaceof joint membrane 74 since the flap may previously have been sealinglysecured to membrane 58. However, in the curb portions, mandrel 90 servesto assist in the initial assembly and shaping of the sealing assemblyand to minimize bunching and wrinkling of the flap. Where the flap andmembrane are preassembled or integrally molded, a mandrel portion in thecurb gap may be unnecessary.

When the curb face piece assembly 52 is first mounted (generally asillustrated in FIG. 4), the sealing flap 54 is draped across the uppercrowned edge of mandrel 90, substantially as illustrated in FIG. 5.Because mandrel 90 provides a crowned upper edge portion 91 which issimilar in cross-section to the shape of joint membrane 74 and whichunderlies and supports a central portion of the flap when gutter padmember 70 is positioned as illustrated in FIG. 8, mandrel 90 will allowthe flap to stretch and will urge flap 54 into expansive confrontingengagement with joint membrane 74 to provide a secure, broad sealbetweenflap 54 and joint membrane 74. Of course, the major surfaces offlap 54 will also be disposed against the lower surfaces of pad elements72, to provide a broad expansive seal therebetween as well.

When a curb and gutter sealing assembly of this in-- vention is to beutilized, a suitable plurality of anchoring bolts 64 are provided in thecurb portions of adjacent slabs S. A pre-formed face piece assembly 52is then trimmed to an appropriate length and a pad memher 70 is then cutto an appropriate angle and length, usually to a skewed angle.

A mandrel 90is positioned in gap G in the mariner described. A suitablesealant or mastic isv provided in notches 46. Curb face piece assembly52 is then positioned (as illustrated in'FIG. 4) and is bolted intoposition to hold assembly 52 in sealing engagement with the curbportions C and to sealingly bridge the curb gap.

. 8 I joint membranes 58 and 74 as the slabs S move with respect to eachother. The mandrel 90 need not be removed, but it will be clear that itwill deteriorate rapidly under dynamic loading and the weatherconditions suitable curb notches 146, gutter notches l48 and mountingbolts (not shown). It is also possible to surface mount such a curb andgutter sealing assembly in which event roadway surfacing material willbe added adjacent gap G to build it up to the level of the side pads andpad segments to be described after installation. The curbs may be aconventional curb 10 to 12 inches high and substantially vertical, ormay comprise, as illustrated, a substantially vertical portionterminating upwardly in a sloping safety curb portion.

Curb notches 146 are proportioned to receive a curb face piece assembly152. Assembly 152 comprises an expansive, integrated stretchable,elastic sealing flap 154 which projects from one end. Sealing flap 154is preferably generally trapezoidal in shape, so that it may be used toaccommodate a wide range of skewed gaps. Assembly 152 further comprisesa pair of parallel side pads 156 centrally joined by a gap bridging,longitudinally extending, upstanding joint membrane 158. Joint membrane158, like membranes l4 and 58 described above, is substantially thinnerthan the side pads 156, and may be integrally formed with the side pads156, as by being molded of an elastomeric material. Side pads 156 areadapted to secure the pad section in the curb notches 146, thereby toanchor the joint membrane 158 for sealingly bridging a portion of thegap between the slab curb portions. Each side pad 156 is generallyrectangular in transverse cross-section, may embed a reinforcing washerand may be secured to the curb portions generally in the mannerdescribed in con nection with the embodiment. of FIG. 1.

The sealing flap 1154- is sealingly integrated'with the (rather thanwiththe'lower'surfaces as was the case with assembly 52). Preferably, flap154 is integrally Notches 48 are then provided with a suitable mastic,

and the expansive sealing flap 54 is evenly and smoothly draped acrossmandrel 90 and cut off as necessary (see FIG. 4) to fit in the notches48. Further adhesive or mastic is then applied to the upper surface offlap 54 and at the ends of the side pads 56 preparatory to receiving agutter pad member 70.

Pad member 70 is then-positioned (as/illustrated in FIG. 6), ismanipulated to force the joint membrane 74 and sealing flap 54 intobroad sealing engagement, is bolted down to maintain the sealingrelationship, to bridge the gutter gap, and to hold edge 66 in closeadjacency with a confronting end portion of assembly 52. End damsections 10 may be secured adjacent the other end of pad member 70 tobridge a gap G across the remaining width of the adjacent slabs S.

The foam material of which mandrel 90 is made, although substantialenough to force sealing engagement between flap 54 and joint membrane74, is soft enough so that it will not significantly impair the movementof formed with assembly 152, as by a molding procedure.

In any event, flap 154 is sealed to the upper surfaces of side pads 156as well as to the upper surface of joint membrane 158. Although theportion of flap 154 which projects longitudinally from the side pads isgenerally planar or flat over most of its expanse, centrally andadjacent the side pads 156 in the region of joint membrane 158, adownwardly opening concave area 155 is provided. Concave area 155 isgenerally trapezoidal in plan view and serves to facilitate sealingcooperation between the flap and-the gutter sealing member to bedescribed. g

The hollow provided by concave area 155 allows assembly 152 to assumethe position illustrated in FIG. 14

, (and 19). By providing such an area, particularly where askewedintersection is to be sealed and the curb portions extend upwardly at aright angle (rather than sloping at a more gradual angle as illustratedin-FIG. 1), a substantially improved seal is obtained over that whichmay be obtained by using a flat flap, or one which is attached to thebottom of assembly 152. That is because maximum accommodation to theshape of a mandrel between flap 154 and the gutter sealing pad member170 is obtained, and with a minimum of wrinkling and bunching. For thereasons stated above, flap 154 is preferably thinner than the jointmembrane and is preferably substantially more flexible.

The intersection 150 is sealed, both by the curb face piece assembly 152(and the associated flap 154) and gutter pad member 170. Gutter padmember 170 comprises a pair of spaced apart, parallel side pad elements172 joined centrally by a thin, integrally formed gapbridging jointmembrane 174. Pad elements 172 serve to secure gutter pad member 170 tothe gutter portions and in gutter notches 148, and act as armor in amanner and for the purposes described above. Pad member 170 may besubstantially identical in construction and in configuration to gutterpad member 70.

An elongate mandrel 190 is positioned in the gap G between the adjacentroadway sections. Mandrel 190 may be formed or shaped of a sponge orfoam material, such as that described above.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 20, the mandrel 190 may comprise a solidblock of foam of substantial length which has been shaped and trimmed toprovide contoured crown portion 192 at its upper edge. The foam mandrelis forced into the gap G by compressing its sides, i.e., generally fromthe shape illustrated in phantom, to that illustrated in solid line inFIG. 20. As such, a single mandrel 190 may be installed in gaps ofvarying width within a reasonable range of widths (such as from 1% to 3inches), and is strong enough and has sufficient body to beself-supporting and self-sustaining in the gap. When so positioned, themandrel 190 will resist loading to the extent necessary to shape flap154 generally to the contour of crown 192 (see FIG. 15), and to force itinto conforming engagement with the confronting surface of jointmembrane 174 (generally as illustrated by FIG. 16). It is to be noted(see FIG. 12) that mandrel 190 is positioned only in the horizontalportions of the roadway gap G, ie, in the gutter area, and that it doesnot extend upwardly in the curb areas as was the case in connection withthe embodiment of FIG. I. It has been determined that witha curb facepiece assembly generally in accordance with FIG. 13, i.e., with the flapsecured to the curb face piece at the upper, rather than at the lowersurface, suitable sealing is obtainable without providing a mandrelportion in the curb area.

When curb and gutter gaps adjacent an intersection 150 are to be sealed,suitable mounting bolts as described above are provided in the curb andgutter notches and a mandrel 190 is positioned generally as illustratedin FIG. 12. Sealant or mastic is then appropriately applied to thesurfaces of notches 146 and 148 and the curb face piece assembly 152 issecured in notches 146 with the membrane 158 bridging the portion of gapG between the curb portions of the adjacent slabs. F lap 154 is thendraped across the mandrel I90 and stretched and conformed by hand to themandrel, generally as illustrated in FIG. 15. Because the flap is thinand elastic, it may be stretched somewhat, so that it will more closelyconform to the mandrel and to the gutter pad when it is juxtaposed.After the flap is conformed to the mandrel, the flap side edges aretrimmed off as necessary so that they fit neatly within notches 148. Theflap is smoothed out as much as possible to eliminate wrinkles and tominimize bunching which is a deterrent-to good permanent sealing.

Once flap 154 has been properly positioned, its upper surfaces arecoated with a suitable mastic or sealant. Gutter pad member which hasbeen cut to the appropriate skew is then positioned. as illustrated inFIG. 16, preferably by first placing one of the pad elements 172 in itsnotch (and on its studs) and thereafter drawing the other pad element172 downwardly over mandrel 190, over its stud and into its notch 148.By so doing, the joint membrane 174 is brought into expansive sealingcontact with the flap. The resilience of mandrel resiliently urges theflap upwardly into engagement with the lower surface of joint membrane174, thereby to provide a good secure seal between membrane 174 and flap154. It is to be noted that the skewed end of the member 170 closelyconfronts a lower end portion of assembly 152 to enhance the gap seal.

Where desired, a curb face piece assembly, such as assembly 152, may beconfigured at its upper edge to mate with an end dam section or portionthereof, thereby to seal a greater length of the curb gap. To that end,the upper end of the curb face piece has been shown to include sealsegments which may be the same as seal segment 28. Alternatively, theupper end may provide notches, like notches 30, proportioned tosealingly receive seal segments of an end dam section.

Curb and gutter assemblies in accordance with this invention have beenfound to function satisfactorily, effectively providing a continuousjoint membrane 58-74 (158-174) which functions very much like thecontinuum of joint membranes 14 described in the above mentionedapplication. Indeed, a curb and gutter assembly sealing a gap having askew angle of as much as 45 has been found to function satisfactorilyunder dynamic loading, while the joint membranes continue to performtheir sealing functions.

The interposition of an elastic expansive sealing flap, especially onewhich is integrally molded with a curb face piece assembly, andpreferably one which is formed with the upper surfaces of a face pieceassembly, assures a continuous seal not only between the an gularlyrelated joint membranes ofa curb face piece assembly and gutter padassembly, but also between the face piece assembly side pads and padelements. That provides a good and substantial seal across a slab gap,as well as across the intersection of the curb and gutter portions ofthe slabs. It effectively seals the gap at the intersection, even forskewed curb and gutter gaps where relative movement of adjacent slabsections not only expands and compresses joint membranes, but where ittorques and twists them as well.

Although the expansive flap functions effectively to seal the gap at theintersection, it is the expansive sealing contact between the adjacentcurb and gutter assemblies and the flap that makes the overall sealingassembly an effective one. The mandrel positioned in the gap to bias thesealing flap into conforming engagement with the gutter pad assemblyassures an expansive seal, and accordingly, is an important component ofthe sealing assembly of this invention.

The foregoing description and drawings of presently preferredembodiments of this invention will suggest further modifications tothose skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is to be limitedonly insofar as the claims may require.

What is claimed is:

l. A curb face piece assembly for dynamically sealing a gap between curband gutter 'portionsof adjacent roadway slabs comprising a pair ofelongated parallel side pads adapted for securance to curb portions ofadjacent roadway slabs to seal a curb gap portion, an elongate, archedflexible joint membrane sealingly secured to said side pads to preventthe passage of water and debris between the joint membrane and the sidepads, an expansive, elastic sealing flap projecting from one end of eachof said side pads and of said membrane and extending laterally beyondthe outer side edges of. said side pads, said sealing flap beingsealingly secured to said side pads and membrane adjacent said one end,said sealing flap being proportioned to overlie and bridge the gapbetween gutter portions of adjacent roadway slabs and to-cooperatetherewith and with a gutter gap sealing member to seal a gutter gapportion and the intersection of the gap between adjacent curb and gutterportions.

2, A curb face piece assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidsealing flap is integrally molded with said side pads and with saidflexible joint membrane.

3. A curb face piece assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidsealing flap is sealingly secured to upper surface portions of said sidepads and of said flexible joint membrane.

4. A curb face piece assembly in accordance with claim 3 wherein saidsealing flap is generally flat but defines a downwardly opening concavearea adjacent the side pads in the region of the flexible jointmembrane, to facilitate its cooperation with a gutter gap sealing memberand to facilitate its sealing of a gutter gap portion and a said gapintersection.

5. A curb face piece assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein'saidsealing flap is sealingly secured to lower surface portions of said sidepads and of said flexible joint membrane.

6. A curb face piece assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidsealing flap is generally trapezoidal in shape in plan view. v a

7. A curb face piece assembly in accordance with claim. 2 wherein saidsealing flap is thinner than, and substantially more flexible than, saidflexible. joint membrane.

8. A curb face piece assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidsealing flap is generally flat but deflnes a downwardly opening concavearea adjacent the side pads in the region of the flexible jointmembrane, to facilitate its cooperation with a gutter gap sealing memberand to facilitate its sealing of a gutter gap portion and a said gapintersection.

9. A method of sealing a roadway gap at the intersection of curb andgutter portions of adjacent roadway slabs to prevent the passage ofwater and debris through the gap at the intersection, comprising .thesteps of preparing upwardly extending curb and generally horizontalgutter surfaces adjacent the gap to receive a curb gap sealing memberand a gutter gap sealing member, providing a curb gap sealing memberhaving a thin elongate, elastic sealing flap extending from one endthereof, said sealing flap having alarge sealing surface defining adownwardly open concave area within its perimeter, securing said curbgap sealing member in an upwardly extending position to said curb slabsurfaces sealingly to bridge a curb gap portion and disposing saidelongate sealing flap in a generally horizontal position across theintersection of said curb and gutter portions and across the gutterportions sealingly to bridge said intersection and a portion of thegutter gap, providing an adhesive sealant on the upper surface of saidsealing flap, securing a separate gutter gap sealing member to saidgutter slab surfaces to bridge a gutter gap portion adjacent theintersection and to closely confront and to overlie said elasticsealingflap, and shaping and forcing the concave area of said sealingflap into conforming engagement with extensive confronting lower surfaceportions of said gutter gap sealing member thereby to sealingly securesaid sealing flap to said extensive confronting lower surface portions.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 comprising the step of cuttingan end of a gutter gap sealing member to a skewed angle prior tosecuring it to said gutter slab surfaces.

11. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein each of said sealingmembers comprises a pair of pad members bridged by a central jointmembrane positioned over and parallel to the associated gap portion, andwherein said sealing flap is sealingly conformed and secured to thecontour of each joint membrane and is sealingly secured to each of saidpad members.

- 12. A method of sealing a roadway gap at the intersection of curb andgutter portions of adjacent roadway slabs to prevent the passage ofwater and debris through the gap at the intersection, comprising thesteps of preparing curb and gutter surfaces adjacent the gap to receivea curb gap sealing member and a gutter gap sealing member, securing acurb gap sealing member to said curb slab surfaces sealingly to bridge acurb gap portion, positioning an expansive sealing flap across theintersection of said curb and gutter portions and across the gutterportions to bridge a portion of the gap,securing a gutter gap sealingmember to said gutter slab surfaces to bridge a gutter gap portionadjacent the intersection and to closely confront said curb gap sealingmember, conforming said sealing flap to expansive lower surface portionsof said gutter gap sealing member, and sealingly securing said sealingflap to said expansive lower surface portions, and further comprisingpositioning a shaping member insaid gutter gap so that said shapingmember extends upwardly, beyond the said gutter surfaces to underlie andsupport thereon a cen-.

' segment.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said shaping member isa resilient foam member which is compressed to seat it in said guttergap portion, an uncompressed crowned portion thereof projecting upwardlyfrom said gutter slab surfaces. I

14. A sealing assembly for sealing the gap between curb and gutterportions of adjacent,- slightly spaced, relatively movable roadwayslabs, and wherein the curb portions extend upwardly from theirintersection with the gutter portions, a curb face piece assemblycomprising a pair of parallel, spaced apart side pads secured tosurfaces of said curb' portions at opposite sides of the curb gap, aflexible membrane sealingly secured to the vside pads and bridging saidcurb gap, an expansive,

elastic sealing flap member sealingly secured to said side pads and tosaid flexible membrane, extending across said intersection and bridgingthe gutter gap, a gutter sealing member comprising a pair of parallel,spaced apart side pad elements each having an upper surface adapted toserve as a roadway surface and each being secured to a gutter surface ata side of the gutter gap, and a flexible joint membrane sealinglysecured to said side pad elements for sealingly bridging the gutter gap,said expansive sealing flap member lying in expansive confrontingengagement with said side pad elements and joint membrane, and beingsealingly secured thereto, and further comprising a shaping memberdisposed in said gutter gap, said shaping member projecting upwardlyfrom said gutter surfaces, and wherein said shaping member urges saidsealing flap member into said conforming engagement with said flexiblejoint membrane.

15. A sealing assembly in accordance with claim 14 wherein said shapingmember is an elongate section of compressible foam, and lower portionsof said section are compressed in said gutter gap.

16. A sealing assembly in accordance with claim 14 wherein said sealingflap is generally flat but defines a downwardly opening concave areaadjacent the side pads in the region of the flexible membrane, tofacilitate its cooperation with said gutter sealing member and tofacilitate its sealing of said gutter gap portion and said gapintersection.

17. A sealing assembly for sealing the gap between curb and gutterportions of adjacent, slightly spaced, relatively movable roadway slabs,and wherein the curb portions extend upwardly from their intersectionwith the gutter portions, a curb face piece assembly comprising a pairof parallel, spaced apart side pads secured to surfaces of said curbportions at opposite sides of the curb gap. a flexible membranesealingly secured to the side pads and bridging said curb gap, anexpansive, elastic sealing flap member sealingly secured to said sidepads and to said flexible membrane, extending across said intersectionand bridging and overlying the gutter gap, said sealing flap memberbeing generally trapezoidal in plan view, a gutter sealing membercomprising a pair of parallel, spaced apart side pad elements eachhaving an upper surface adapted to serve as a roadway surface and eachbeing secured to a gutter surface at a side of the gutter gap, and aflexible joint membrane sealingly secured to said side pad elements forsealingly bridging the gutter gap, said expansive sealing flap memberlying in expansive confronting engagement with said side pad elementsand joint membrane, and being sealingly secured thereto.

18. A roadway face piece assembly for dynamically sealing a gap betweenfirst portions and second portions at a side of adjacent roadway slabs,said first portions and said second portions being disposed at an angleto each other, said assembly comprising a pair of elongated parallelside pads adapted for securance to said first portions of adjacentroadway slabs to seal a first gap portion, an elongate, arched flexiblejoint membrane sealingly secured to said side pads to prevent thepassage of water and debris between the joint membrane and the sidepads, an expansive, elastic sealing flap projecting from one end of eachof said side pads and from the end of said membrane, and extendinglaterally beyond the outer side edge of at least one of said side pads,said sealing flap being sealingly secured to said side pads and membraneadjacent said one end and terminating in an end spaced from said sidepads and from said membrane, said sealing flap being generally flat butdefining a downwardly opening concave area adjacent the ends of the sidepads in the region of the flexible jointmembrane, to facilitate itscooperation with a second gap sealing member and to facilitate itssealing of a second gap portion and said gap intersection, saiddownwardly opening'concave area being spaced inwardly of saidterminating end, said sealing flap being proportioned to overlie andbridge the gap between said second portions at a side of adjacentroadway slabs and to cooperate therewith and with a second gap sealingmember to seal said second gap portion and the intersection of the gapbetween said adjacent first portions and second portions.

19. A curb face piece assembly in accordance with claim 18 wherein saidsealing flap is sealingly secured to upper surface portions of said sidepads and of said flexible joint membrane.

20. A sealing assembly sealing the gap betweenfirst portions and secondportions of adjacent, slightly spaced, relatively movable roadway slabsat one side of said slabs, said first slab portions and said second slabportions being angularly disposed with respect to each other to providetherebetween a first gap portion and a second gap portion, respectively,and merging in an angular gapped intersection, said sealing assemblycomprising an expansive, generally flat elastomeric sealing flap havinga first end, a second end opposite said first end and side portionscircumscribing said sealing flap and defining a preformed downwa dlyopen, concave region overlying said first portion of said gap and beingpositioned adjacent said intersection, said concave region being remoteand spaced inwardly from said first end and from said side portions ofsaid sealing flap, said concave region being proportioned to facilitateconformance of the sealing flap to said first slab portions adjacentsaid intersection with a minimum of bunching and wrinkling of saidsealing flap and being deformed to conform to shaping means provided atsaid first gap portion, and shaping means extending upwardly from saidfirst gap portion below said concave region against which said sealingflap is deformed to conform thereto, said second end being secured tosaid second slab portions and spanning the gap therebetween, and meanssealingly securing said second end to said second slab portions andmeans sealingly securing said first end to said first slab portions.

1. A curb face piece assembly for dynamically sealing a gap between curband gutter portions of adjacent roadway slabs comprising a pair ofelongated parallel side pads adapted for securance to curb portions ofadjacent roadway slabs to seal a curb gap portion, an elongate, archedflexible joint membrane sealingly secured to said side pads to preventthe passage of water and debris between the joint membrane and the sidepads, an expansive, elastic sealing flap projecting from one end of eachof said side pads and of said membrane and extending laterally beyondthe outer side edges of said side pads, said sealing flap beingsealingly secured to said side pads and membrane adjacent said one end,said sealing flap being proportioned to overlie and bridge the gapbetween gutter portions of adjacent roadway slabs and to cooperatetherewith and with a gutter gap sealing member to seal a gutter gapportion and the intersection of the gap between adjacent curb and gutterportions.
 2. A curb face piece assembly in accordance with claim 1wherein said sealing flap is integrally molded with said side pads andwith said flexible joint membrane.
 3. A curb face piece assembly inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said sealing flap is sealingly securedto upper surface portions of said side pads and of said flexible jointmembrane.
 4. A curb face piece assembly in accordance with claim 3wherein said sealing flap is generally flat but defines a downwardlyopening concave area adjacent the side pads in the region of theflexible joint membrane, to facilitate its cooperation with a gutter gapsealing member and to facilitate its sealing of a gutter gap portion anda said gap intersection.
 5. A curb face piece assembly in accordancewith claim 1 wherein said sealing flap is sealingly secured to lowersurface portions of said side pads and of said flexible joint membrane.6. A curb face piece assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidsealing flap is generally trapezoidal in shape in plan view.
 7. A curbface piece assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sealing flapis thinner than, and substantially more flexible than, said flexiblejoint membrane.
 8. A curb face piece assembly in accordance with claim 1wherein said sealing flap is generally flat but defines a downwardlyopening concave area adjacent the side pads in the region of theflexible joint membrane, to facilitate its cooperation with a gutter gapsealing member and to facilitate its sealing of a gutter gap portion anda said gap intersection.
 9. A method of sealing a roadway gap at theintersection of curb and gutter portions of adjacent roadway slabs toprevent the passage of water and debris through the gap at theintersection, comprising the steps of preparing upwardly extending curband generally horizontal gutter surfaces adjacent the gap to receive acurb gap sealing member and a gutter gap sealing member, providing acurb gap sealing member having a thin elongate, elastic sealing flapextending from one end thereof, said sealing flap having a large sealingsurface defining a downwardly open concave area within its perimeter,securing said curb gap sealing member in an upwardly extending positionto said curb slab surfaces sealingly to bridge a curb gap portion anddisposing said elongate sealing flap in a generally horizontal positionacross the intersection of said curb and gutter portions and across thegutter portions sealingly to bridge said intersection and a portion ofthe gutter gap, providing an adheSive sealant on the upper surface ofsaid sealing flap, securing a separate gutter gap sealing member to saidgutter slab surfaces to bridge a gutter gap portion adjacent theintersection and to closely confront and to overlie said elastic sealingflap, and shaping and forcing the concave area of said sealing flap intoconforming engagement with extensive confronting lower surface portionsof said gutter gap sealing member thereby to sealingly secure saidsealing flap to said extensive confronting lower surface portions.
 10. Amethod in accordance with claim 9 comprising the step of cutting an endof a gutter gap sealing member to a skewed angle prior to securing it tosaid gutter slab surfaces.
 11. A method in accordance with claim 9wherein each of said sealing members comprises a pair of pad membersbridged by a central joint membrane positioned over and parallel to theassociated gap portion, and wherein said sealing flap is sealinglyconformed and secured to the contour of each joint membrane and issealingly secured to each of said pad members.
 12. A method of sealing aroadway gap at the intersection of curb and gutter portions of adjacentroadway slabs to prevent the passage of water and debris through the gapat the intersection, comprising the steps of preparing curb and guttersurfaces adjacent the gap to receive a curb gap sealing member and agutter gap sealing member, securing a curb gap sealing member to saidcurb slab surfaces sealingly to bridge a curb gap portion, positioningan expansive sealing flap across the intersection of said curb andgutter portions and across the gutter portions to bridge a portion ofthe gap, securing a gutter gap sealing member to said gutter slabsurfaces to bridge a gutter gap portion adjacent the intersection and toclosely confront said curb gap sealing member, conforming said sealingflap to expansive lower surface portions of said gutter gap sealingmember, and sealingly securing said sealing flap to said expansive lowersurface portions, and further comprising positioning a shaping member insaid gutter gap so that said shaping member extends upwardly beyond thesaid gutter surfaces to underlie and support thereon a central portionof said sealing flap, and wherein said conforming step comprises urgingsaid central sealing flap portion into a central arched segment of saidgutter gap sealing member to provide sealing securement between saidcentral sealing flap portion and said central arched segment.
 13. Amethod in accordance with claim 12 wherein said shaping member is aresilient foam member which is compressed to seat it in said gutter gapportion, an uncompressed crowned portion thereof projecting upwardlyfrom said gutter slab surfaces.
 14. A sealing assembly for sealing thegap between curb and gutter portions of adjacent, slightly spaced,relatively movable roadway slabs, and wherein the curb portions extendupwardly from their intersection with the gutter portions, a curb facepiece assembly comprising a pair of parallel, spaced apart side padssecured to surfaces of said curb portions at opposite sides of the curbgap, a flexible membrane sealingly secured to the side pads and bridgingsaid curb gap, an expansive, elastic sealing flap member sealinglysecured to said side pads and to said flexible membrane, extendingacross said intersection and bridging the gutter gap, a gutter sealingmember comprising a pair of parallel, spaced apart side pad elementseach having an upper surface adapted to serve as a roadway surface andeach being secured to a gutter surface at a side of the gutter gap, anda flexible joint membrane sealingly secured to said side pad elementsfor sealingly bridging the gutter gap, said expansive sealing flapmember lying in expansive confronting engagement with said side padelements and joint membrane, and being sealingly secured thereto, andfurther comprising a shaping member disposed in said gutter gap, saidshaping member projecting upwardly from said gutter surfaces, andwhereiN said shaping member urges said sealing flap member into saidconforming engagement with said flexible joint membrane.
 15. A sealingassembly in accordance with claim 14 wherein said shaping member is anelongate section of compressible foam, and lower portions of saidsection are compressed in said gutter gap.
 16. A sealing assembly inaccordance with claim 14 wherein said sealing flap is generally flat butdefines a downwardly opening concave area adjacent the side pads in theregion of the flexible membrane, to facilitate its cooperation with saidgutter sealing member and to facilitate its sealing of said gutter gapportion and said gap intersection.
 17. A sealing assembly for sealingthe gap between curb and gutter portions of adjacent, slightly spaced,relatively movable roadway slabs, and wherein the curb portions extendupwardly from their intersection with the gutter portions, a curb facepiece assembly comprising a pair of parallel, spaced apart side padssecured to surfaces of said curb portions at opposite sides of the curbgap, a flexible membrane sealingly secured to the side pads and bridgingsaid curb gap, an expansive, elastic sealing flap member sealinglysecured to said side pads and to said flexible membrane, extendingacross said intersection and bridging and overlying the gutter gap, saidsealing flap member being generally trapezoidal in plan view, a guttersealing member comprising a pair of parallel, spaced apart side padelements each having an upper surface adapted to serve as a roadwaysurface and each being secured to a gutter surface at a side of thegutter gap, and a flexible joint membrane sealingly secured to said sidepad elements for sealingly bridging the gutter gap, said expansivesealing flap member lying in expansive confronting engagement with saidside pad elements and joint membrane, and being sealingly securedthereto.
 18. A roadway face piece assembly for dynamically sealing a gapbetween first portions and second portions at a side of adjacent roadwayslabs, said first portions and said second portions being disposed at anangle to each other, said assembly comprising a pair of elongatedparallel side pads adapted for securance to said first portions ofadjacent roadway slabs to seal a first gap portion, an elongate, archedflexible joint membrane sealingly secured to said side pads to preventthe passage of water and debris between the joint membrane and the sidepads, an expansive, elastic sealing flap projecting from one end of eachof said side pads and from the end of said membrane, and extendinglaterally beyond the outer side edge of at least one of said side pads,said sealing flap being sealingly secured to said side pads and membraneadjacent said one end and terminating in an end spaced from said sidepads and from said membrane, said sealing flap being generally flat butdefining a downwardly opening concave area adjacent the ends of the sidepads in the region of the flexible joint membrane, to facilitate itscooperation with a second gap sealing member and to facilitate itssealing of a second gap portion and said gap intersection, saiddownwardly opening concave area being spaced inwardly of saidterminating end, said sealing flap being proportioned to overlie andbridge the gap between said second portions at a side of adjacentroadway slabs and to cooperate therewith and with a second gap sealingmember to seal said second gap portion and the intersection of the gapbetween said adjacent first portions and second portions.
 19. A curbface piece assembly in accordance with claim 18 wherein said sealingflap is sealingly secured to upper surface portions of said side padsand of said flexible joint membrane.
 20. A sealing assembly sealing thegap between first portions and second portions of adjacent, slightlyspaced, relatively movable roadway slabs at one side of said slabs, saidfirst slab portions and said second slab portions being angularlydisposed with respect to each other to provide therebetweeN a first gapportion and a second gap portion, respectively, and merging in anangular gapped intersection, said sealing assembly comprising anexpansive, generally flat elastomeric sealing flap having a first end, asecond end opposite said first end and side portions circumscribing saidsealing flap and defining a preformed downwardly open, concave regionoverlying said first portion of said gap and being positioned adjacentsaid intersection, said concave region being remote and spaced inwardlyfrom said first end and from said side portions of said sealing flap,said concave region being proportioned to facilitate conformance of thesealing flap to said first slab portions adjacent said intersection witha minimum of bunching and wrinkling of said sealing flap and beingdeformed to conform to shaping means provided at said first gap portion,and shaping means extending upwardly from said first gap portion belowsaid concave region against which said sealing flap is deformed toconform thereto, said second end being secured to said second slabportions and spanning the gap therebetween, and means sealingly securingsaid second end to said second slab portions and means sealinglysecuring said first end to said first slab portions.